British companies increasingly interested in Morocco

British companies are increasingly interested in Morocco and are seeking to move part of their activities to Morocco or look for Moroccan partners, said Erwan Inizan, from Cardiff-based British International Business Center, who is leading a business delegation on a visit to Morocco.

Inizan told MAP the purely exploratory mission, which started on Tuesday, will only assess business opportunities in Moroccan market.

He said the business delegation comprises enterprises which are already operating in Morocco, like the food and apparel holding "Marks and Spencer" and others which are coming for the first time.

The British embassy said Morocco is increasingly becoming a target market for British companies looking to expand overseas. Trade in the first seven months of 2000 has grown fast as Moroccan imports of British goods went up 26% ($509 million) and exports went up by 15% ($ 600 million).

Britain is also the third largest investor in Morocco, accounting for 10% of total investments, with a value of $ 18 million.